Klafter & Olsen LLP Announces That It Has Filed a Class Action Complaint Against...
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Klafter & Olsen LLP Announces That It Has Filed a Class Action Complaint
Against Michael Baker Corporation For Violations of the Federal Securities
Laws
WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Klafter & Olsen LLP announces that it has
filed a class action complaint against Michael Baker Corporation ("Michael
Baker" or the "Company") (Amex: BKR) and certain of its officers in the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on behalf of investors
who purchased the common stock of Michael Baker between March 19, 2007 through
February 22, 2008 (the "Class Period"). If you purchased Michael Baker's
common stock during the Class Period, you have until May 12, 2008 to move to
be appointed as a Lead Plaintiff. Klafter & Olsen LLP is continuing its
previously announced investigation of claims against Michael Baker that could
extend the class period back to August 15, 2006.
The Complaint charges Michael Baker certain of its officers with violations of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that
the defendants: (1) falsely reported Michael Baker's financial results for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and the first three quarters of fiscal
2007; (2) falsely stated that the Company's financial statements were prepared
in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"); and (3)
falsely stated that the Company had adequate internal and financial controls.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial statements were
materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
After the close of the market on February 22, 2008, Michael Baker announced
that it would be restating its previously issued financial statements for the
first, second and third quarters of 2007, because of "errors" in those
financial statements. According to the Company, the purported errors related
primarily to the improper recognition of revenue on domestic managed services
projects in the Company's Energy business segment during these periods. Among
other things, as a result of the restatement, Michael Baker's previously
reported net income of $18.0 million for the first nine months of 2007 was
materially overstated by as much as $12.5 million. The Company also disclosed
that it was still evaluating whether the false financial reporting would
impact its previously issued audited consolidated financial statements for the
year 2006.
Upon that announcement, shares of Michael Baker fell from its close of $36.10
on February 22, 2008 to $27.57 the next day of trading -- a drop of nearly 24%
on extraordinary volume. The day before that announcement, Michael Baker
announced Robert L. Shaw, was retiring as Michael Baker's CEO, effective that
day.
Notably, this restatement is the second restatement announced by Michael Baker
within the past three years. On August 15, 2006, Michael Baker had announced
that a restatement involving the Company's previously issued financial results
for fiscal years 2000 through 2004, and its related financial statements for
each of the quarters of 2003 and 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, was
"behind" it -- thereby suggesting that Michael Baker had adequate internal
controls. The recently announced restatement casts doubt on that notion.
If you purchased Michael Baker's publicly traded securities during the period
August 15, 2006 through February 22, 2008, please contact Klafter & Olsen LLP
at www.klafterolsen.com or call us at 202/261-3553 for a more thorough
explanation of the investigation and claims that have been asserted against
Michael Baker.
Klafter & Olsen LLP has extensive expertise in prosecuting investor class
actions involving financial fraud and has offices in Washington D.C. and New
York. Please visit our website for more information about the Firm.
SOURCE Klafter & Olsen LLP
Kurt B. Olsen of Klafter & Olsen LLP, +1-202-261-3553
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